THE PRISONER (1967)

Inspired by the AMC remake of the classic show, I recently rewatched the original The Prisoner, the trippy 1967 British series starring Patrick McGoohan. It was even weirder than I remembered.

I first watched it in the mid-80's, when my local PBS station played the entire series. I remember being somewhat baffled by it, and not understanding the ending at all, but on the rewatch I was blown away by how psychedelic it was. Much of it made little, if any, sense to me.

Oh, I get what it was about, the overarching themes. But the actual stories were just bizarre.

There were a lot of science fiction devices used in various episodes, and an uncannily prescient use of virtual reality in the western-themed episode that reminded me quite a bit of a similar episode of Star Trek: The Next Generation. Actually, come to think of it, there was a western-themed episode of the original Star Trek as well, which would have been contemporary with this show.

Definitely a product of its time, as well as ahead of its time in many ways, I can see why the remake had so much trouble finding itself. The world is a different place now; not the paranoid cold war atmosphere of the late 60's, but a paranoid post-9/11 corporate culture.

One thing it did do for me, though: I'd really love to visit Portmeirion, the Welsh seaside town where most of it was filmed. What a picturesque, lovely place!

Book review: THE BELL AT SEALEY HEAD by Patricia A. McKillip

Every evening, just at sundown, a ghostly bell rings just once in the village of Sealey Head. Most of its inhabitants don't even notice it anymore, but a couple of them wonder about its mystery, and an enigmatic stranger is determined, with their help, to solve it.

This is the premise of THE BELL AT SEALEY HEAD, but the story is much richer and more layered the deeper you delve into it. There is the bookish daughter of the local merchant, Gwyneth, who is determined to write the story of the bell's origins. Her childhood friend, the equally bookish son of the local innkeeper, Judd, is intrigued by a visitor from the city who arrives with a load of books and aspirations of solving the mystery once and for all. Then there is Aislinn House, the local manor, full of secrets, where the dying lady dreams her days away as her heir arrives from the city with an entourage, exciting the local society. Add a local wood witch, several amusing townspeople, and a Fairy Princess, and you've got a recipe for a wonderful fairy tale set against the backdrop of the ever-present sea.

McKillip is a wonderful storyteller; I have yet to read anything by her that I didn't love. Every one is different from the others, yet all are full of rich, rounded characters and well-thought-out stories and settings. Like the last book of hers that I read, SOLSTICE WOOD, this one was just really fun to read. I liked the characters a lot, which is vital to enjoying any story. It left me wanting more, which is a high compliment in my book. Evocative without being bloated, a quick read without being fluffy, I found myself looking forward to stealing away some time to continue reading it, and was sorry when it had ended. Highly recommended.

Review: THE MYSTERY OF GRACE by Charles de Lint

I've long been a fan of Charles de Lint's work, going back about twenty years, when I first read GREENMANTLE. He practically invented the genre of Urban Fantasy, blending myth and magic with contemporary settings and characters, and he does it well. Many of his stories and books are set in the fictional city of Newford, and it's a pleasure to revisit familiar places and characters, learning new things about them along the way.

In this, his latest offering, he takes us far away from Newford, to a fictional city in the Southwest. New characters and landscapes take us to a whole new place, and it's quite different from his recent stories.

It's difficult to talk about the story without giving away too much, because some pretty major things happen fairly early on in the book that would spoil it if you knew they were coming. The titular character, Grace, finds herself in a mysterious place, and her path is to figure out why she is there, and how she can get out. She crosses paths with various others who have also ended up there, and together some of them try to figure out the mystery.

There's some interesting world-building, and glimpses of the world of hotrod enthusiasts, Hispanic culture, and a different magical mythology from de Lint's usual offerings. There's a sense of melancholy that pervades his stories, and here it is even more pronounced. His love of the desert and of the Southwest shows in his writing, bringing to life a region that has long intrigued me as well. As much as I love Newford, it was nice to explore a different place with a favorite author.

Book review: HAND OF ISIS by Jo Graham

Jo Graham is working her way through the ancient world, retelling tales that we've all heard before in new and intriguing ways. Her first book, BLACK SHIPS, was the story of Aeneas and his people finding a new home after the sacking of Troy. Her latest book, HAND OF ISIS, tells the story of Cleopatra and the Romans Julius Caesar and Marc Antony.

It's a story that's been told many times, in literature and on film, but Graham manages to find the humanity in such a storied character, making her surprisingly sympathetic. Told in first-person point of view by her sister Charmian, we learn about Cleopatra's life from childhood to her death. What makes Graham's books so interesting are not necessarily the main, famous characters, but rather the supporting characters, and the detail about their lives. She brings ancient Alexandria to life for us, making it as much a character as the people who inhabit it. Seeing such famous characters, such as Julius Caesar, as human beings rather than the larger-than-life figures we are used to seeing, makes for fascinating reading as well.

Graham takes a few liberties with history, but as this is a work of fiction and not a reference book, good story is what matters, and this is a good story. What makes this different from most historical fiction is Graham's grasp of ancient religion, and the role of the gods in individuals' lives. This is really what makes it shine for me, and what I liked best about her previous book. I would recommend it to anyone interested in ancient Egyptian, Greek, or Roman religion, as well as ancient history buffs.

Her next book is about the aftermath of Alexander, and I look forward to reading it.

Review: THE COYOTE ROAD ~ Trickster Tales

Edited by Ellen Datlow and Terri Windling, with illustrations by Charles Vess.

Having previously enjoyed Datlow & Windling's collections (The Green Man and The Faery Reel), I was looking forward to reading this latest anthology, now out in trade paperback. A smart collection of short fiction and poetry, featuring many of my favorite writers, it did not disappoint.

All of us are familiar with stories about tricksters, whether we're aware of it or not. From Br'er Rabbit and Bugs Bunny to Anansi and Coyote, every culture has tales of tricksters. The stories in this collection are as varied as the cultures and time periods they cover, and the form the trickster takes is often surprising. While some stories feature familiar characters out of legend, many of them show us that anyone (or anything) can be a trickster, and as it goes with tricksters, you never know how it's going to turn out.

The tales take you from ancient Greece to the near future, from China to the Louisiana bayou, and many interesting times and places in between. I enjoyed all of the stories, some more than others of course, but there wasn't a dud among them. Each story or poem has an magical illustration by Charles Vess that adds to its mystique.

If you enjoy mythic fiction, fantasy, or even just a good yarn, I highly recommend The Coyote Road.

Book review: The Graveyard Book by Neil Gaiman

Technically a children's book, THE GRAVEYARD BOOK appeals to readers of all ages. Neil Gaiman is at his best here, telling a clever story that puts new twists on old tropes. It's the story of Bod (short for Nobody), who is raised by ghosts in an old graveyard after his family is murdered. The ghosts promise to protect Bod, who is given the freedom of the graveyard but must not leave it. He is provided for by the only one who can leave, a mysterious character named Silas (whose nature is hinted at but never named).

The book follows Bod's growth, education, eventual contact with the outside world, and the mystery of his family's murder in a charming and inventive story. Though written for children, it is never patronizing or childish. The characters are well rounded, interesting, funny, and sometimes scary. It's lovely how Bod is not afraid of death, because all of his friends are dead, and the figure of Death is not the one we've encountered numerous times before, but something beautiful and comforting. He is reminded, however, that life is worth living, and he can only learn and grow while alive. It's a nice message to send to kids. The spooky illustrations by Dave McKean add to the story and atmosphere of the book.

The deserved winner of the Newbery medal, this is a book to share with your kids, and enjoy for yourself.

Book review: Solstice Wood by Patricia A. McKillip

I've read some of McKillip's fantasy in the past and enjoyed it, and this book was recommended to me by a friend, so I dove in, knowing it was different from her other work.

I had just read Faerie Tale by Raymond Feist, which has a similar theme of the world of faerie intersecting with the modern world, and had been disappointed by it. I found it to be formulaic and predictable, written like a treatment for a bad 70's TV movie.

Solstice Wood couldn't be more different. Yes, it takes place in "upstate NY" and yes, it features faerie in the modern world, but that's where the similarity ends. The characters are realistic and well-rounded, not stereotypes and caricatures. The descriptions of faerie are ethereal and believable, and McKillip didn't feel the need to invent an evil nemesis to ramp up the conflict. The fae are mysterious and slightly menacing, yes, just as they are in the lore, but they are not evil.

The story is told from multiple points of view, which is especially interesting when you see the same scene as experienced by different characters. It adds layers to the story that you might not get from a third-person POV.

The story revolves around Sylvia Lynn, who returns to her hometown to attend the funeral of her grandfather. Her grandmother, who raised her, is trying to get Sylvia to move back home, which she ardently resists. Mysterious happenings surround Lynn Hall, the family home, and a series of eccentric characters surround the family, especially the strange Fiber Guild, who seem to be doing more than just needlework in their monthly meetings.

I loved the little charming touches added to the story, like the Community Phone Bush (the only spot in town able to receive a cell phone signal), and the changeling who loves Gram's cookies.

I liked this book a lot, and would definitely recommend it to anyone who enjoys urban fantasy, magical realism, or mythic fiction. If you like Charles de Lint, Emma Bull, or Teri Windling, you'll enjoy Solstice Wood


Find Solstice Wood at Amazon.

DVD Review: Casanova

I don't know how anyone can make a movie about Casanova boring, but these filmmakers managed to do it. The plot, such as it is, plods along without much happening at all. I found it curious that Casanova's reputation is more alluded to than shown, and no mention at all was made of the fact that he was a practicing magician. An unfortunate stumble for Heath Ledger, who could have made this role great. I fell asleep not once, but twice while trying to watch it; I never made it to the end.

DVD Review: Transformers

I am not the target market for this movie, being the wrong age and gender, but I enjoyed it all the same. It requires a big suspension of disbelief, with huge plot holes you could drive Optimus Prime through, but the "wow" factor more than makes up for it. The effects are truly incredible, even if the robots are a bit on the overdone side. The protagonist is likable, a sort of every-teen who isn't special or handsome, which makes you root for him all the more. He's a good kid, and his parents are great comic relief. The ending leaves plenty of room for a sequel which, due to the success of this movie, I would be willing to bet on. I hope they do as good a job on it.

DVD Review: Doctor Who Series 2

I am a Doctor Who fan from way back, when Tom Baker was still the Doctor. I was thrilled when they brought the franchise back, and I loved Christopher Eccleston's Doctor, so I was not sure how much I would like David Tennant in that role. The only role I had seen him in was his very brief stint in Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire. I'm happy to say that I love David Tennant as the Doctor. I think he is the best yet. His relationship with Rose is wonderful, his sense of humor is great, and he's just a lot of fun to watch. There are a couple of stumbles, but no series is great every episode. The extras are interesting, especially David's video diary. I highly recommend it to fans of the show.

DVD Review: Beowulf Director's Cut

Despite being cowritten by one of my favorite writers (Neil Gaiman), I found this movie very disappointing. The visuals, instead of being stunning (as was obviously meant) were no better than those of a video game. The story was too much of a departure from the original, lacking both power and subtlety. The 3-D 'tricks,' not being seen in 3-D, were just annoying. The bits-hiding maneuvers were better in The Simpsons Movie. The overall tone and themes of the movie seem to be aimed at twelve-year-old boys. If this is what you are, you will love this movie. If you are not, skip it.